News, marketing, and compliance for Carolina car dealers
Helpful articles specifically for independent car dealers in the Carolinas.
Google's Ask Maps Is Live. Your Reviews Are Doing the Ranking Now.
Google's new Ask Maps reads your reviews to decide who shows up for conversational searches. Star count is no longer enough - the words inside the reviews are what rank you.
Everything You Need to Know About The FTC Doc Fee Crackdown
On March 13, 2026, the FTC sent warning letters to 97 auto dealer groups telling them the price they advertise has to be the price the customer pays. Here's what changed and a compliance checklist.
5 Steps to Get Your Auto Dealer's License in North Carolina
The simple path: pre-license class, application, bond, location inspection, license issued. Here's what each step involves.
FAQs for Licensed Dealers in North Carolina
Common questions from licensed NC dealers: title transfers, sales tax, temp tags, and renewal.
Automotive SEO in 2026: 8 Tips That Still Work After Google's March Updates
Eight tactics that survived Google's March 2026 algorithm shake-up and what to focus on for the rest of the year.
Top Online Listing Platforms for Used Car Dealers
Where to list your inventory in 2026: Cars.com, Cargurus, Carfax, Marketplace, Craigslist - and which actually deliver leads.
Google Is Ending Vehicle Listings, But NC Dealers Have a Better Option
Google is sunsetting Vehicle Listings. Here's what changes for dealers, and what to do next.
DealerCenter vs KGI Dealer Solutions - Which Is Best for Carolina Dealerships
A side-by-side of two popular DMS platforms, focused on what matters for an NC or SC dealership.
North Carolina Dealer Selling to a South Carolina Resident
Step-by-step paperwork for NC dealers selling to SC buyers: title, tax, temp tag, and registration handoff.
SEO Quick Tips for Car Dealers in 2026
Practical SEO tips for independent used-car dealers in 2026: AI search, mobile-first, local SEO, video, social, and getting found beyond your website.
Best DMS for First-Time Used Car Dealers
Just got your dealer license? Here's what to look for in a Dealer Management System and which ones fit a brand-new lot.
Best DMS for Small to Medium Used Car Dealers in the Carolinas
Comparing the top DMS options for Carolina dealers selling 10-80 cars a month: features, price, and Carolina-specific support.
3 Ways ChatGPT Can Help Your Dealership TODAY
Ready-to-copy ChatGPT prompts for writing vehicle descriptions, replying to leads, and producing local content.
A List of Lender Resources for Used Car Dealerships
Subprime lenders, BHPH partners, and floor-plan companies that work with NC and SC dealers.
ChatGPT Told Me What Cars to Buy in 2025
We asked ChatGPT to recommend used inventory for a Carolina dealer. Here's what it suggested and what it got wrong.
How to Create an Online Presence for Your Dealership
A step-by-step playbook for new dealers building a website, Google Business Profile, and social channels from scratch.
How to Start Building Your Online Presence
If you're brand new and feeling overwhelmed, here's the simplest order of operations to get found online.
How the New 25% Tariffs Effect the Used Car Market in NC (April 2025)
What the new auto tariffs mean for inventory pricing, used-car demand, and your margins this year in the Carolinas.
How the NCGA Is Helping Protect Dealership Data
The NC General Assembly is moving on data protection laws that affect dealerships. What's pending and what's law.
Should You Open a Buy Here Pay Here Dealer Lot?
A short read on the realities of starting a BHPH operation in 2025.
What You Need to Know TODAY about the FTC CARS Rule
The FTC CARS Rule: what it bans, what it requires, and how to bring your dealership into compliance without slowing down deals.
How to Buy and Print DMV Forms with Dealer Solutions
Order, print, and use the DMV forms you need straight from KGI DMS.
IRS Form 8300 for Car Dealers - When and How to File
Cash payments over $10,000 trigger an IRS reporting requirement. Here's the form, the deadline, and the penalties.
New NC Rules for Titling Under a Business Name
What changed in NC's vehicle-title rules for businesses, and how to stay compliant when a buyer wants the title in a company name.
FTC Safeguard Rules - Practical Tips for Small Dealerships
What you actually have to do (and what you can skip) to satisfy the FTC Safeguards Rule at a small used-car lot.
FTC Safeguard Rules for Auto Dealers - What's Required
The Safeguards Rule applies to dealerships handling customer financial info. Here's the plain-English breakdown.
Does Your Dealer Software Run on a Mac?
Mac compatibility for KGI DMS: what works, what doesn't, and how to set it up cleanly.
New North Carolina LAW-553 (Oct 2023 Revision)
What changed in the LAW-553 revision and how to update your sales paperwork.
How to Set Up Your Email on iOS
Step-by-step guide to adding your dealership email account on iPhone or iPad.
How to Sell a Car in NC to a Virginia Resident
Cross-border title transfer rules for NC dealers selling to VA buyers.
How to Set Up Your Email in Outlook
Step-by-step Outlook setup for your dealership email: IMAP, SMTP settings, and troubleshooting tips.
South Carolina Dealer Selling to a North Carolina Resident
The reverse direction: SC dealers selling to NC buyers. Title, taxes, and what to give the customer at delivery.
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